Islam 102
Lesson 1: The Divine Book Of Allah
In this first lesson we discuss the early revelations to the Prophet, the main features of the wonderful Book, along with ways and styles of preserving and compiling the Book in the times of different Caliphs after the death of the Prophet. Indeed, the difficult situations faced by the noble people in preserving the word of Allah was a tedious task and thus deserves deeper study.
Revelations of the Quran
Quran, according to the Islamic belief, is the final covenant of the Lord with mankind. It is the word of the Creator, literally and not metaphorically, which has been revealed to the last messenger of God: Muhammad (Peace be Upon him), through the angel Gabriel.
Quran is a tool for life and for guidance for the spiritual and social requirements of man for all times to come. It provides a foundation and basis for Islamic Laws (Shariah), governing all aspects of human life.
Almost 1,400 years have passed -- but not a word of Quran is changed or lost. It is within the hearts of people and is preserved on paper. The authenticity of this book still remains unchallenged as compared to the heavenly scriptures of other nations and faiths. As Quran is revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he is the attester of the previously revealed books which were lost.
“We revealed unto thee the book with righteousness which attest those books in their hands” (Al-Maida 48)This verse shows that Quran is the revered book, its injunctions should be followed and all its teaching should be adopted.
When and where was Quran Revealed?
Quran was first written and kept in safe custody in Looh-e-Mehfooz. It was first sent down to Bait-ul-Mamoor which is considered to be situated within the first level of heaven (first sky). Surah Al-Buruj 85:21-22. From there, it was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) on earth. These revelations were completed within 23 years. The Prophet received the first revelation at the age of 40 in Lailatul Qadr in the month of Ramazan.
The Introductory words of the first revelation were from Surah Alaq:
"Read! in the name of thy Lord, who created man out of a clot of congealed blood: Read! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He who taught (the use of) the pen-----Taught man that which he knew not" (96:1-5)This was the first revelation of Quran.
Then there was a gap of three years after which the Angel Gabriel once again appeared between the heavens and the earth. The Angel recited the few verses of Surah Al -Mudassir (74th Surah of Al Quran). Thereafter, the chain of revelations continued in many sessions till the completion of the entire revelation in 23 years. In the course of these years more than 6,000 verses consisting of 300,000 words were classified into 114 Surahs (chapters) which therein were divided into 30 paras (parts) of Quran. Each Surah (chapter) is made up of various Ayas (verses) which represent the sign given by God (Allah).
The revelations of Quran categorized into two phases in the Prophet's life
The introductory words of the first revelation (taking place before the migration to Madina) are known as Makki Surahs which go up to 86. These revelations were mostly related to the question of belief, morals, monotheism, negation of any corporal entity, all about paradise and hell, and life after death.
Another set of revelations were sent to the Prophet after his migration to Madina. These are known as Madini revelations. They are 28 in number. The Makki and Madini Surahs altogether number 114. These latter revelations mostly deal with the laws and principles regarding contracts, successions, crime, distribution of bounty, and constitutional and international laws (they reflect that time of peace and subsequent societal organization Muslims sought to create). Verses related to religious commands and Shariah (Islamic Laws) were also revealed.
Some of the examples of Makki Surahs are: Al-Fatiha, Al-Sajda, Al-Iqlas, whereas Surahs revealed in Madina are Al-Baqarah, Al-Noor, Al-Ahzab.
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